[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 222 (Friday, November 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66907-66908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19480]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Little Wood River Irrigation District Gravity Pressurized 
Delivery System; Blaine County, ID

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Record of Decision (ROD).

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[[Page 66908]]

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 
CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service 
Guidelines (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service 
(NRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), gives notice that the 
record of decision (ROD) for the Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(FEIS) for the Little Wood River Irrigation District Gravity 
Pressurized Delivery System, Blaine County, Idaho is available. The ROD 
was signed and made available via the USDA NRCS Idaho Web site (http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov.) on November 7, 2006. A Notice of Availability of 
the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) dated April 26, 2004, 
was published in the Federal Register on May 4, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Sims, State Conservationist, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 9173 W. Barnes Dr. Suite C, 
Boise, Idaho, 83709; telephone (208) 378-5700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Little Wood River Irrigation District 
proposes to convert the present open irrigation canal delivery system 
that serves farmland in the Little Wood River valley surrounding Carey 
City, Blaine County, Idaho, to a closed gravity pressurized irrigation 
pipeline system. The Natural Resources Conservation Service prepared an 
Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed project. NRCS has 
selected Alternative 2--Gravity Pressurized Irrigation Delivery System 
with On-Farm Irrigation Systems as the Preferred Alternative for 
implementation. This Alternative includes conversion of the present 
open irrigation canal delivery system to a closed gravity pressurized 
irrigation pipeline system.
    The purpose and need of this action is to maximize the conservation 
and use of irrigation water and the energy required to irrigate all of 
the existing cropland within the project area by providing a reliable 
water supply, reducing water losses due to seepage in the existing 
canal delivery system and providing economic stability to the local 
area.
    Three alternatives, including the No Action Alternative, were fully 
developed and analyzed in the FEIS to address significant issues. The 
full range of foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed. 
Among the alternatives considered the preferred alternative best 
provides a combination of limiting impacts and providing needed 
enhancements.
    The record of decision includes a statement of the decision made, 
synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, 
the identification of the environmentally preferred alternative, and 
the rationale for why the environmentally preferred alternative was not 
the selected action.
    The ROD and other NEPA documents are available on the Idaho NRCS 
Web site at http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov or by contacting the NRCS at 
the address provided above.

    Dated: November 7, 2006.
Richard Sims,
State Conservationist, USDA, NRCS, Idaho.
 [FR Doc. E6-19480 Filed 11-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P